Mirabel snickered, her fork pausing midway to her mouth.
She set it down, leaning back in her chair with a creak.
Her eyes gleamed with malice as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
"Yeah, go chase your movie dreams elsewhere. See how far 'soft' gets you in Auralis."
Claudia nodded, her ponytail bobbing.
She pointed the knife at Seraphina, the tip glinting. "You're weak. The world will eat you alive."
The words hit Seraphina like physical blows.
Her face flushed, heat rising to her cheeks.
Tears pricked her eyes, hot and insistent.
She blinked rapidly, trying to hold them back.
Her hands clenched in her lap, nails digging into her palms, the pain a distraction from the ache in her heart.
She felt small, insignificant, like a child being scolded for existing.
Anger stirred deep inside, but it was drowned by hurt. Why? she thought.
I've never asked for much. I've tried to stay out of the way.
"Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. She leaned forward slightly, her body tense. "Give me a chance. I can change. I can help more."
Drusilla shook her head, her lips curling in a sneer. She stepped closer, her shadow falling over Seraphina. "No chances left. Pack your things. You're out by noon."
The finality of it crashed over Seraphina.
Her breath came in short gasps, her chest heaving.
Tears spilt over, tracing hot paths down her cheeks.
She wiped them with the back of her hand, her skin feeling raw.
Her big blue eyes blurred, the room swimming. She pushed her chair back, the scrape loud, and stood up.
Her legs felt weak, knees wobbling. "This is my home," she said, her voice cracking. Her hands trembled at her sides.
Cornelius stood too, towering over her. His face was red, veins showing in his neck.
He pointed at the door, his finger jabbing the air. "Not anymore. Go!"
Seraphina turned, her hair swinging with the movement.
She walked out, her steps slow, each one an effort.
Her slippers shuffled on the floor, the sound faint.
Up the stairs, she gripped the bannister tight, her knuckles white.
Her breath hitched with sobs she tried to suppress.
In her room, she closed the door, the click soft.
She leaned against it, her back sliding down until she sat on the floor.
Her knees drew up, arms wrapping around them.
Sobs broke free, her body shaking, shoulders heaving.
The tears came in waves, soaking her blouse.
She felt betrayed, abandoned, the pain a deep void in her chest.
Memories flashed—her mother's smile, her father's stories —gone, replaced by this cold family.
After what felt like hours but was only minutes, she stood, her legs unsteady.
She wiped her face, her sleeves damp.
Moving to the closet, she pulled out a backpack, her fingers fumbling with the zipper.
It opened with a raspy sound.
She began packing, her movements mechanical at first, then slowing as emotion surged.
First, the notebooks—she picked them up one by one, her fingers tracing the covers.
Each one held pieces of her soul.
She placed them carefully, arranging them so they wouldn't bend.
Next, clothes—she folded a shirt, her hands smoothing the fabric, remembering when she bought it with her own money from a small job.
Her eyes stung again, fresh tears falling onto the cloth.
A knock pounded on the door. Seraphina froze, her body tense. "Time's up!" Drusilla's voice barked.
Seraphina zipped the bag, the sound final. She slung it over her shoulder, the strap digging into her skin.
Opening the door, she faced Drusilla, her big blue eyes red-rimmed.
"Let's check what you took," Drusilla said, snatching the bag.
She unzipped it, her hands rummaging roughly.
She pulled out the silver bracelet from a pocket—wait, no, the bracelet was on her wrist.
Instead, she grabbed a small locket, another memento. "This stays."
"No," Seraphina pleaded, her voice hoarse.
She reached out, arm extending, fingers grasping.
Drusilla held it high, her other hand pushing Seraphina's chest.
Seraphina staggered back, her back hitting the wall with a thud.
Pain bloomed in her spine, but it was nothing compared to the rip in her heart as Drusilla dropped the locket and stepped on it, the crack loud.
"Out," Drusilla said, shoving the bag back.
Seraphina picked up the broken locket, her fingers shaking as she pocketed it.
Tears streamed freely now.
She walked down the stairs, her steps heavy, the backpack bouncing against her back.
In the living room, Mirabel and Claudia waited, arms crossed, smirks on their faces.
"Bye-bye," Mirabel sang, waving her hand slowly.
Claudia laughed, her head thrown back. "Don't forget to cry on the way out."
At the front door, Cornelius opened it wide.
The midday air rushed in, carrying the scent of impending rain.
Seraphina stepped onto the porch, her slipper catching on the threshold, making her stumble slightly.
She saw herself, hand on the doorframe. Turning, her big blue eyes met theirs one last time. "Please..." her voice was a whisper, pleading.
The door slammed shut, the bang reverberating through her body.
She flinched, her shoulders jumping.
Standing there, the backpack heavy, she felt the first drop of rain on her head.
It trickled down her hair, cold and wet.
More followed, soaking her blouse, making it cling to her skin.
Shivers ran through her, her arms wrapping around herself.
The pain in her chest was overwhelming—a mix of grief, anger, and fear.
She felt like a leaf in the wind, tossed away without care.
Her family—or what passed for one—had discarded her.
The tears came harder, blending with the rain, her body shaking with sobs.
She started walking, her slippers squelching on the wet pavement.
Each step was slow, her legs leaden.
The street was busy with people hurrying under umbrellas, but she felt alone, invisible.
Her red hair stuck to her face, strands clinging to her cheeks.
She brushed them away, her hand cold.
The rain pounded harder, drenching her as water ran down her neck.
Her big blue eyes scanned the street, blurred by tears.
Where to go?
The question echoed in her mind.